Processing apparatus



A. R'. THOMPSON 2,149,561

PnocEsslNG APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1- March`7, 1193119.

Filed April 2 5,Y 193e vATTO EY.

n Mrch 7, 1939.

A. R. THOMPSON vPROCESSING APPARATUS Filed April 25, L19:56

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nn MN JNVENToR, /m Mam/oso.

4 ATTO EY.

March 7, 1939. A. R. THOMPSON PROcEssmG APPARATUS y v 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 n Filed April 25, 1936 INVENTOR. /cf/ i Mam/man.

` ATTO carrier.`

' pair of idler sprockets 94 on shaft 95 mounted in brackets 83 below loading sprockets 8|,

As stated above, the construction of my -improved conveyer is such that the adjustment' of the carriers is controlled automatically by controlling the path of movement thereof. `Referring to Fig. 4, it will be noted that carrierV members 16, 11 project only slightly beyond one side of chain 3|, while on the other side they extendV for a considerable arc and are in overlapping relation. Thus, each carrier 32 is provided with a longitudinal opening, the size ofwhich can be varied by relative pivotal movement of carrier members 16, 11 caused by flexing of chains 3|.

Preferably, in a straight positionof chain 3|, the size of the opening between carrier members 16, 11 is such withrespect to the sizegof the'can in the carrier-that the carrier will retain the can. Consequently, ifl the edges of members16, 11 which define the opening, are moved towardeach other by ilexing chains 3| toward the open side of the carriers, thev carrier will remain adjusted to retain a can., Conversely, if chains 3| be exed toward the closed side of the carriers, the opening will be increased to such an extentl as to permit. loading or discharging of cans :in the To accommodate this condition of the parts, each carrier member16 (Fig. 3) is cut away at 96 adjacent its end to prevent interference of such member 16 with lugs 1| of adjacent A links of chains 3|. i

. With the above relation of parts in mind, it will bernoted with reference to'Fig. 5 that chain 3| in passing over loading sprocket 8| is exed toward the closed side of `the carriers so; that a wideopening is provided in each Ycarrier when positioned at or moving past loading station FV so that cans can be readily placed therein. It will be noted from the iiexed condition of the'links that have passed beyond loading sprocket 8| and are passingunder guide'member 52 that carrier members 16, 11 of each carrier are adjusted oppositely to reduce the openings therein upon flexing of chains 3| toward the open side of the carriers. It will also be noted that the'st'raight s'tretchvof chain 3| before reaching sprocket 8| provides for ksupport of cans in each carrier on carrier-member 11, this condition obtaining in every upwardly moving stretch of chains 3| and carriers 32 throughout the apparatus. Also, the straight stretch of chains 3| between sprocket 8| and guidemember '52, 53 corresponds to every downwardly moving stretch of chain 3| and carriers 32 in whichthe cans are supported principally on carrier member 11 and it will be noted that in passing over sprocket 8|, cans will-have rolled through' only "180, The same movement of cans will occur as chains 3| and carriers 32 pass under lguide members v52.

Referring to Fig. 6, a portion of chain 3| and offthe attached carriers 32 are shown as they pass around afdiscl'iarge sprocket 86 and the as-Y sociated guide sprocket 89. It will be noted that as chain 3| moves around sprocket 66, each carrier 32 isy opened widely to permit discharge of cans therefrom `and is maintained fully opened through discharge position G where the opening of carrier 32 in 'suchvposition faces downwardly to insure discharge of cans therefrom. This conditionv of vthe parts isv attained by the relative positioning of sprockets 88 with respect to sprockets 86 so that chains 3| are doubled back Von themselves in theirdirection of travel, and the exed condition thereof to determine wide opening of carriers 32 ismaintained through apr' proximately 180 of the travel around sprocket 86. From the above description vof the operationof my improved conveyer, it will be seen that the carriers are automatically positioned for can loading and unloading and for can retention inaccordance With a change'inthe direction of 'their path of travel and thatfguide members `are associated therewith to determine open' condition thereof at the loading stationrand also at the discharge station. During travel of the carriers through the processing chambers, the carriers are opened to an l extent to permit removal' of the' cans only as they are passing overdriving sprockets 5| where the opening faces upwardly and the cans cannot fall out. Thus, the carriers remain effective to retain the cans therein during travel kthereof through the processing chambers. v

While I have shown and described my invention `in connection with a ypreferred embodiment thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in thea'rt, that various modications 'and variations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit'of my invention. I desire it to be understood, therefore, that I consider myself entitled tov allesuch modification fand variations as fall within the scope ofeth claims appendedthereto.

1. In an apparatus for processing cansfof material having a processingch'a'mber, an endless conveyer for carrying cans through said chamber comprising a pair of spaced apart endless-chains, and a carrier for each link ofA said chain for receiving oneor more cans in end to end relation, each carrier including a `pair ofr nested'semi-A and for relative pivotal` movement about the p'iv,`

otal axis of corresponding adjacentlinksof said chains, whereby flexing of corresponding adjacent links of said chains determines the adjustment of each carrier, means for guiding said conveyer past aloading station, means for guiding said conveyer from said loadingstation into said chamberand in alternately ascending and'deyscendingpaths through said chamber, means for guiding said conveyer from said chamber past a discharge station, and drive means for said conveyer. e

2. A can carrier comprising a link, a second link having a pivotal connection with said rst link, and `a pair of substantially semi-cylindricalcarrier members mounted on said respective linksY for relative pivotal movement about the axis of said pivotal connection, and vwith the axis of said members in coincidence pivotal connection.v

'3.,A can carrier comprising a link, a secondr link having a pivotal connection with said first; link, a pair of substantially semicylindrical carrier members associated respectively with said links, and a connection between a peripheral partv of each mmeber and the link associated therewith to locatelsaid members with their axes in coincidence with the axis off said pivotal connection whereby said carrier members have relative pivotal movement about the axisrof said pivotal connection.

Vwith the axis of said 4. A cancarriercomprising a chain link and a' n terial, an endless conveyor'k for carrying cans comprising a pair "of spaced-apart exible support elements and a plurality of can carriers supportedAV therebetween to maintain the same portion of a can carrier in leading position along the path of movement of said support elements, said can carriers being adapted to be actuated to open and closed positions and being supported entirely by said support elementsuand extending therebetween in the direction ofthe axis of ilexure, and means for guiding said conveyor in alternately ascending and descending paths, whereby the leading portions of said carriers are alternately uppermost and lowermost, said support elements forming the sole` actuating means for said carriers. i

6; In an apparatus for processing cans of material, an endless conveyor for carrying cans comprising a pair of spaced apart flexible support elements and a plurality of can carriers rigidly connected therebetween, each carrier comprising nested members providing a can loading and discharge opening on one side of said support elements and having relative movement in lresponse to iiexing of said support elements to determine the4 adiustment thereof, and means for guiding said elements in verticalzig-'zag paths with the openings facing up when the carriers make turns at the top and the bottom of said zig-zag paths, said guiding means engaging said one side of said support elements `at the bottom turns and the other side thereof at the top turns.

7. a can carrier unit comprising a chain link having its endsicrmed for pivotal connection with adjacent similar links, and a pair oi semi-vr cyiindrical carrier members secured to said link intermediate the ends thereof and for movement therewith with their convex surfaces facing each other and with ther'respective axes in coincidence with the pivotal axes of said link.

8, a can Vcarrier unit comprising a chain link having its ends formed for pivotal connection with adjacent similar links, and a pair of semicyiindricai carrier ridiembersV rigidly secured to said link intermediate the ends thereof with their convex surfaces facing each other and with their respective axes in coincidence with the respective pivotal axes'of said link, said members extending to either side of the plane through the pivotal axes of the link.

9. A can carrier comprising a pair of 4spaced apart chains, a pair of substantially semi-cylindrical carrier members extending between each pairA of aligned links of said chains and securedthereto for movement as a unit therewith, each said pairv of Vcarrier members having their concov vex surfaces facing eachother and having their respective axes in coincidence with the respective pivotal axes of said aligned links, whereby a substantially cylindrical can carrier unit is provided about each pivotal axis or each of said chains.

l0. A can carrier comprising a pair of spaced apart chains, a pair of substantially semi-cylin-y drical carrier members extending between each pair of aligned links of said chains and secured thereto for movementy as a unit therewith, each said pair of carrier members having their convex surfaces facing each other and having their respective axes in coincidence withthe respective pivotal axes of said aligned links, whereby a substantially cylindrical cancarrier unit is provided about eachvpivotal axis of each of said chains, the carrier members `of eachcarrier unit being in nested relationfor relative rotative movement upon relative pivotal movement ofthe chain links supporting said carrier members.

11. A can carrier comprising a pair of spaced apart chains, a pair of substantially semi-'cylindrical carrier members extending between each pair of alignedlinks of said chains and secured thereto for movement as a unittherewith, each said pair of carrier members having their respe'ctive4 axes in coincidence with the respective pivotal axes of said aligned links, whereby a substantially cylindrical can carrier unit is provided about each pivotal axis of each of 'said chains,

lthe carrier members of each carrier unit being in nested relation for relative rotativevmovement upon relative pivotal movement of the chain links supporting said carrier members, and means for guiding said chains in vertical zig-zag paths to ilex said chains in one direction when changing from an upward path to a downward path and to flex said chains in the other direction when changing from a downward path to `an upwardv path.

12. A can carrier comprising a pair of spaced apart chains, a pair of substantially semi-cylindrical carrier members 'extending between each pair of aligned links of said chains and secured thereto for movement as a unit therewith, each said pair ofcarrier members having their convex surfaces facing each other and having their respective axes in coincidence withthe respective pivotal axes of said aligned links, whereby a substantially cylindrical can carrier unit is provided about each pivotal axis lof each of said chains, the carrier members of. each carrier unit being in nested relation for relative rotative movement upon'relative pivotal movement of the chain links supporting said carrier members, and said carrier Ymembers of each carrier unit extending to either side of the respective planes through the pivotal axes of the associated links, with one `pair of cooperative edges spaced apart to form a can feeding and discharging opening, the width of the opening beingfdetermined by the directiony ofk flexing of .said chains and ahe amount of relative pivotal movement between adjacent links of said chains.

13. A can carrier comprising a pair of `spaced apart chains, a pairv of substantially semi-cylindrical carrier members extending between` each pair of aligned links of said chainsV and secured thereto for movement as a unit therewith, each said pair of carrier members having their convex surfaces facing each other and having their respective axes in coincidence with the pivotal axes of the ends of said aligned links, whereby a substantially cylindrical can carrier unit is provided about each pivotal axis ofeach of said chains, the carrier members of each carrier `unit being `in nested relation for relative rotative movement upon relative pivotal movement of the chain links supporting said carrier members,

and said carrier members of each carrier unitA extending to either side of the respective planes through the pivotal axes of the associated links, with one pair of cooperative edges in overlapping relation in either direction of flexing of said chains and with the other pair of cooperative edges spaced apart to form a can feeding'and discharging opening, the width'of the opening beingdetermined by the direction of iiexing of said chains and the amount of relative pivotal movement between adjacent links of said chains,

and means for guiding said chains in vertical-zig,-`

zag paths with the openings facing up ywhen the carrier units make turns at the top and bottom of said zig-zag paths.

Patented Mar. 7, 1939 [UNITED STATESA PAT-.ENT ori-"ICE to Food Machinery Corporation, Calif., a corporation oi' Delaware San i J ose,

Applicationfilprii, 1936, Serial No. 76,403

e 16 claims. v.My linvention relates to processing apparatus for canned goods and the like, such as cookers,`

coolers, Vand combined cookers and coolers, `and more particularlyto limproved -means for conveying cansv ofimaterials throughthe apparatus with a minimum of agitation andwith a maximum number of cans in the processing space.y

It is a vgeneral objectzof` my invention to provide an improved lprocessing apparatus in which a. maximum number -of cans are conveyed through theapparatus in a simple and eicacious manne and ywith a minimum vof agitation..

Anothenobject of .the .invention` is to provide improvedconveying means for apparatus of the character" referred to which provides for ready control of the loadingl and discharge of ,cans` and the like. .1

Another object of the invention is f to provide improved conveying means for apparatus of the character referred to which enables a simple automatic lcontrol of the loadingand `discharge of cans andthe like. 4

Another object `of the invention' is to provide .a conveyer having carriers for containers whichA liave'a non-pivoted connection with theirsupporting chains or the like and which do not re- `quire extraneous guideways to'complementjthe carrier action in their` course through the apparatus.

" Anothery object of the'invention is toprovide' improved'conveying means for` apparatus or the character referred to 'which 'provides for minimum` agitation ofy the .canned goods being `handled thereby.-

f -y Other objects and various "advantagesfwill be apparentfrom the following description made with reference to the appended drawings; -i'n Fig. 1 is a sideelevation' of aycombined cooker and'cooler embodying my invention, certain rparts beingv broken awayto illustrate detailsv ofrconstruction. Y. n 1

Fig.^2 is anelevational view of the loading end of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, the view being partially-broken away to illustrate the construction of the conveyer. i Y A Figs.- 3 and 4 illustrate rdetails of the` carriers ofthe conveyer, Fig. 3 being a fragmentary plan view of one of the conveyer chains andthe carjriersrconnected theretoVand Fig. 4 being a sectional view thereof taken ina plane at a right angle tothe axesof the chain link pivots.l

Figs. 5 andl 6 are fragmentary vertical sectional views illustratingjmore or less schematically the operation of the carriers ofthe conveyer at (ci. 19a-129) Y spectively.

For purposesfof illustration, my invention is shown as embodiedl in a kprocessing apparatus comprising va combined cooker and cooler. Generally, the apparatus includes a casing which may be divided into'.chambers for 'the prefheating,

heatingkand coolingsteps of a processing operation, and a fconveyer which receives vcans or the like'at a loading station and carries such cans successivelythrough the compartments to a discharge stationk Wherel theV cans are discharged,

the movements of the cans being effected with a minimumrof agitation. [In the illustrated embodiment, an open type cooker is shown, but the invention is equallyy useful in V.afpressur'e cooker.

f The apparatus includes a base which, may be form-edby longitudinal channels I (Figsjl and 2() and transverse I-beamsII mounted thereon,

and on which casing I2 is secured. Casing I2 may be vof generally rectangular outline and` formed of end, side and kbottom walls I3, I 4 and- I,5, respectively, which may be formed. of sheet metal and connected by welding or the like.' Various'bracing angles I6 may be provided for the walls'. Atf'the top edges thereof, end and side Walls I3, I4 are provided with respective horizontaianges I'I to support certain partsv includ# ing vcover I8. i i

The'apparatus is shown in the illustratedy embodiment thereof v as having three chambers A, B and C, respectively, for pre-heating, heating. and cooling the'cans conveyed therethrough as ,described hereinafter, but the number of chambers can be varied ii?,l desired in accordance with the type ofpasteurizing whichis `desirable with the material inthe cans.. Toprovide the; above noted chambers, transverse walls. 2I, 22 and,.23 are secured by welding or the like to bottom wall `I and side Walls I4 and terminate adjacent the upper edges of ,fsidel Walls I4. Chamber A `is formed between Walls 2I and 22, chamber Br between walls 22 and 23, and chamber C between wall 23 andthe adjacentend wall I3. Between i, wall 2I and adjacent end wall I3, entrance pasto the water in chambers A and B by any suitable means.

Cans or containers of the material to be processed are carried by an endles conveyer from a loading station in successive ascending and descending paths through the various processing chambers to a discharge station, from which the emptied conveyer is returned to the loading station. I am aware that this general type of conveyer has been used with buckets or carriers which are pivoted freely to a chain or the like and with which special guide means are associated to control movement of the carriers. However, I have provided an improved conveyer Vin which adjustable carriers are fixed to the supporting chains or the like and are controlled solely by movement of the conveyer to receive and discharge the cans and in remaining closed to carry the cans through the various treatment phases of the processing operation.

The improved conveyer of my invention includes spaced apart support elements or chains 3| (Figs. 1 and 2) having buckets or carriers 32 secured therebetween in a manner later described, 'and which are driven Y over suitable guides, such as sprockets or the like, to determine the path of the conveyer and the open or closed condition of the carriers. The drive for the conveyer includes a source of power which is shown in the illustrated embodiment as a constant speed electric motor 36 suitably mounted Von a side wall I4 and having a conventional pulley and belt connection 31 with shaft 38 (Fig. 2) journalled in a suitable bearing on an end wall I3 and carrying small gear 39 meshing withlar'ge gear 4| on longitudinally extending shaft 42. i Shaft'42 (Fig. 1) is journalled in and may be supported by a plurality of similar gear housings 43 andwithin each housing 43 carries worm 44 engaged with wor'n wheel 45 on an associated transverse shaft 46. Each shaft 46 is mounted by spaced bearings 41 (Fig. 2) secured on anges I1 of side walls I4, and is journalledin and may support the associated housing 43 adjacenteach of bearings 41. Each shaft 46 carries a driving sprocket 5| (Figs. 1 and 2) adjacent each end thereof for driving engagementY with respective chains 3|. At their lower ends, chains 3| (Fig. 1) are guided by a plurality of similar guide devices, each of which may comprise a guide element 52 suitably securedk on a side wall I4 and having semi-circular ilan'ge 53 forming a. semi-circular path to receive the associated chain 3|. A

As chains 3| are similar in-construction, and as carriers 32 are similar in construction and similarly connected to chains 3|, only one chain 3|, one carrier 32 and their connection will be described. Chain 3| (Figs. 3 and' 4) includes a plurality of links composed of spaced apart straps 6I, 62 apertured adjacent their ends to receive pivot pins 63 journalled therein and in spacer bushings 64. Straps 62 which are at the inner side of the chain when assembled in the apparatus are connected to telescoped carrier members, which are preferably of substantialy semicylindrical shape, and each cooperating pair of which forms an adjustable carrier with the respective members mounted for relative pivotal adjustment about a common axis. Each carrier, therefore, is of generally cylindrical shape to receive a plurality of cans placed therein in end to end relation. A fastening element or lug 1I coextensive with the width of astrap 62 projects from each strap |52 adjacent the midpoint thereof, being fixedly secured thereto as by welding.

. longitudinal edges of members 16, 11. Member 11 is of *smaller radius than member 16 to provide the telescoped relation thereof and the associated lugs 1| are so positioned that both members 16, 11 are concentric with respect to the axis of the adjacent pivot pin 63. Thus, carrier members 16, 11 which are concentric with the same pivot pin 63, are mounted for relative pivotal movement as the associated adjacent links of a'chain 3| pivlot in passing around a sprocket or guide, and

such relative pivotal movement-is utilized in determining the open or closed condition of the carriers, as described hereinafter.

The path of the conveyerleads from loading station F-(Fig. 1) where cans may be placed in each carrier 32 in end to end relation by any suitable means aschains 3| pass over a pair of loading sprockets 8| (Figs. 1, 2 and 5) secured adjacent the ends of transverse `shaft 82. Shaft 82 is journalled adjacent its ends in'brackets 83 (Figs. l and 2) secured as by welding to respective side walls I4 and projecting beyond end wall I3. From loading sprockets 8|, carriers 32 travel downwardly and around end guide members 52 through an opening at the bottom oi' end Wall I3 and up through entrance passage D, over end sprockets above wall 2| and into pre-heating chamber A. In chamber A, carriers 32 move in successive descending and ascending paths as determined by sprockets 5| and `guides 52 a period of time determined by the size of chamber A and the speed ofr conveyer.

In leaving pre-heating chamber A, carriers 32 are guided by chains 3| passing over sprockets 5I above wall 22 and move into heating chamber B where they move up and down through paths determined by the engagement of chains 3| with sprockets 5I and guide members 52 for'the desired period of time determined by the size of heating chamber B and the speed of the conveyer.

AIn leaving heating chamber B,.chains 3|V pass over sprockets 5I above wall 23 to guide the carriers into insulating passage E between walls 23 and 24, through which the carriers move downwardly and then under wall 24 into cooling chamber C as` chains 3| are guided by guide members 52, immediately below wall 24. Carriers 32 move up and down through cooling chamber C for the desired time interval, and'then are `guided out the open discharge end of `cover I8 by the engagement of chains 3| with sprockets 5| fat the discharge end of the apparatus and along a horizontal path to discharge station G'.

Discharge stationG is provided by a pair of discharge sprockets 86 (Figs. 1 and A6), only one of which is seen in the drawings, mounted adjacent the ends of shaft 81.which is journalled at its ends in similar spaced brackets 88 (Fig. v1) secured as bywelding at the top of side walls I4.

As chains 3| (Fig. 1) movearound dischargeV sprockets 86, carriers 32 are adjusted automatically as described hereinafter todischarge the cans therefrom onto any suitable can receiving means. From dischargestation G, carriersV 32 are returned to loading station F through apath determined by the engagement of chains 3I with idler sprockets 89 on shaft 9| mounted in brackets 88, with a plurality ofsets of idler sprockets 92 on shafts 93 mounted in channels I0, and with a 14. A can carrier comprising a pair of spaced apart chains, a series of substantially cylindrical carrier units extending between said chains with their axes in coincidence withl the pivotal connections between adjacent links of said chains, each unit including nested members rigidly con nected between adjacent pairs of links of said chains to provide a can loading and discharge opening on one side of saldchains. and means for guiding said chains in vertical zig-zag paths with the openings facing up when the carrier units make turns at the top and bottom of said zig-zag paths.

15. A can carrier comprising a pair oi' spaced apart chains, a series vof substantially cylindrical carrier units extending between said chains with their axes in coincidence with pivotal connec-l tions between adjacent links of said chains, each unit including nested members rigidly connected between adjacent pairs of links of said chains to provide a lcan loading and discharge opening on one side of said chains, means for guiding said chains past a loading station and to flex said apart chains, a series of substantially cylindrical. y

carrier units extending between said chains with their axes in coincidence with pivotal'-'connec. tions between adjacent links of said chains. each' unit including nested members rigidly connected 'between adjacent pairs of links of said chains to provide a can loading and discharge opening on one side of saidchains, and meansV for guidv-ing said chains past a discharge station including means for reversing the direction of travel of said chains to enlarge said openings while facing downwardly. 1 n

ALBERT R. THOMPSON. 

